City Council wants curfew enforced

Trenton City Council president Phyllis Holly-Ward speaks at a news conference at City Hall Thursday Dec. 6, 2012 in response to the recent wave of violent crime in Trenton.. (Trentonian photo/Jackie Schear)

TRENTON — A unified city council stood in protest of the recent burst of violence in the city Thursday, pleading for citizens to step up vigilance against crime.

“Considering the severity of the situation … we feel compassion to keep our city safe,” said City Council President Phyllis Holly Ward. “We will not spare any budgetary resources to be safe.”

City council members spoke of proposed actions they have offered to the administration and city residents in an effort to help decrease the number of violent crimes which have seemingly spiked since the beginning of December. Mandatory curfew for teens ages 18 and younger, closing bodegas at 9 p.m. to help stop congregating individuals who allegedly devise violent plans in front of the stores, and mandating a midnight close time for all bars in the neighborhood were just a few of the suggestions Council offered at the press event.

“There is currently a curfew ordinance on the books but it is not being enforced,” said Holly-Ward. “We are working to enforce that.”

Advertisement

South Ward Councilman George Muschal blamed the insufficient number of police officers as a cause for the eruption of violence which has led to 24 homicides in the city this year. “We are down over 100 cops, it’s like 10 (criminals) to one (cop) out there ,” he said. “They (criminals) are all packing and cops are not equipped to confront them, so they sit in their cars … they just cannot do the job, we don’t have enough manpower.”

Muschal recommended authorities take a no-tolerance approach to fighting back against gang turf wars.

Police Director Ralph Rivera, who did not attend the press event, was appalled to learn about Muschal’s accusation that his team of law enforcement is not working hard to keep Trenton’s city streets safe.

“While we are over 100 down, our officers are highly trained and are not afraid to go out and protect,” said Rivera. “Our officers are in the line of duty every day and we are trying to work more intelligently and more effectively with the manpower we do have.”

According to Rivera, he, the Business Adminstrator Sam Hutchinson and Chief of Staff Adrian Menendez, have proactively reached out to state police and to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to request additional manpower in an effort to help keep crime at bay.

“Starting this weekend, investigators from the prosecutor’s office will join our personnel to saturate the area,” said Rivera.

During the council’s presentation, they asked parents and residents to be an extra accessory in the battle to keep city streets safe, to be a proactive voice that can end the violence that has killed, maimed and dismembered so many city residents.

“We ask that parents, uncles, aunts be more vigilant and to learn what is in their homes,” said Councilwoman Kathy McBride. “Talk to your children, teach who their friends and get involved in their lives … your children are in our prayers and we hope to stop the senseless violence.”

Council, through a written letter, has also reached out to Gov. Chris Christie asking for additional law enforcement to patrol the streets. At the time of the press conference, council had not received a response from the Governor’s office.

Although council members stood in solidarity, mayoral administrators did not attend the press conference. Mayor Tony Mack, who sat feet away from the chambers, refused to attend, according to a source.

“The directors wanted to do a press conference, from the administrative stand point, but the mayor refused,” said a City Hall source. “So because he didn’t want to do a press conference, council decided to do one without him.”

To keep the momentum of anti-violence initiative, civic leaders and council members will host a rally at the steps of the Statehouse Building on Monday, in an attempt to aggressively request funds and services to aid in public safty from the governor. “We are asking parents to keep their kids out of school, take a day off of work and to meet us at the Statehouse to rally,” said Andrew Bobbitt, citizen leader and Chief Executive Officer of the Never Give Up Organization.

“Residents are tired of the mayor not showing up or doing anything to help, this is a chance for residents to speak up for themselves.”